T71.21XA — Asphyxiation due to cave-in or falling earth, initial encounter
Is T71.21XA billable?
Yes — T71.21XA is billable for FY2027. T71.21XA is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code at the highest level of specificity in its branch. T71.21XA may be submitted for encounters from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
T71.21XA at a glance
| Code | T71.21XA |
|---|---|
| Description | Asphyxiation due to cave-in or falling earth, initial encounter |
| Billable | Yes |
| Code set | ICD-10-CM FY2027 |
| Valid for encounters | October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027 |
| 7th character "A" | initial encounter |
What does the 7th character "A" mean in T71.21XA?
In T71.21XA, the 7th character A means initial encounter. The 7th character is required for T71.21XA to be a valid, complete code.
Same condition, different episode of care — switch the 7th character:
Which MS-DRGs does T71.21XA group to?
T71.21XA sits in MDC 21 and helps define the logic of 2 MS-DRGs (version 44, FY2027). Which one a stay actually groups to also depends on procedures and secondary diagnoses.
- 922Other Injury, Poisoning and Toxic Effect Diagnoses with MCCmedical
- 923Other Injury, Poisoning and Toxic Effect Diagnoses without MCCmedical
As a secondary diagnosis, T71.21XA is a complication or comorbidity (CC), which can move a stay into a higher-paying DRG. It also carries Hospital-Acquired Condition category 05.
How is T71.21XA listed in the Alphabetic Index?
The Alphabetic Index lists these routes under T71.21, the nearest indexed parent of T71.21XA. Use them to find the family, then select the specific code.
- Asphyxia, asphyxiation › traumatic › due to › low oxygen content of ambient air › due to › cave-in (by)
How is T71.21XA listed in the External Cause Index?
The External Cause of Injuries Index lists these routes under T71, the nearest indexed parent of T71.21XA. This is a separate index from the Alphabetic Index and is where external cause codes are looked up.
- Suffocation (accidental) (by external means) (by pressure) (mechanical)
Use additional code
Report an additional code alongside T71.21XA to fully describe the condition. T71.21XA is sequenced first.
- code for any associated cataclysm (X34-X38)
Excludes1 — never code together — inherited from T71
The conditions below can never be reported together with T71.21XA on the same claim. An Excludes1 note means the two conditions cannot occur in the same patient, so reporting both is a coding error.
Use additional code — inherited from Chapter 19
Report an additional code alongside T71.21XA to fully describe the condition. T71.21XA is sequenced first.
- code to identify any retained foreign body, if applicable (Z18.-)
Use additional code — inherited from T71.21
Report an additional code alongside T71.21XA to fully describe the condition. T71.21XA is sequenced first.
- code for any associated cataclysm (X34-X38)
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from Chapter 19
The conditions below are not part of T71.21XA, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, T71.21XA and the excluded code may both be reported.
Code also — inherited from T66-T78
Two codes may be needed to describe the condition fully. Whether T71.21XA is sequenced first depends on the reason for the encounter.
- , if applicable, place of occurrence, such as:
- highway rest stop (Y92.523)
- school (private) (public) (state) as the place of occurrence of the external cause (Y92.21-)
- service areas as the place of occurrence of the external cause (Y92.52-)
- single-family non-institutional (private) house as the place of occurrence of the external cause (Y92.01-)
- transport vehicle as the place of occurrence of the external cause (Y92.81-)
How long has T71.21XA existed?
T71.21XA has been in ICD-10-CM since at least FY2016, the earliest fiscal year on record here.
Derived from the official order files for FY2016–FY2026. FY2017 and FY2020 publish no order file, so those years are not covered.